Academic Article Writing for Midwifery Students: Evidence-Based Practice and Research Novelty

Author: Arofah Firdaus
Institution: Universitas Muhammadiyah Ahmad Dahlan Cirebon
Course: Scientific Writing in Midwifery
Level: Undergraduate (S1)

Abstract

Writing a journal article is an essential skill for midwifery students to disseminate research findings, improve clinical practices, and contribute to evidence-based midwifery care. This academic article discusses two fundamental pillars of scientific writing: evidence-based practice (EBP) and research novelty. For undergraduate midwifery students at Universitas Muhammadiyah Ahmad Dahlan Cirebon, understanding these concepts is critical to producing publishable work that supports maternal and child health. The article provides practical guidelines, a structure for journal articles, and examples relevant to Indonesian midwifery contexts.

Keywords: journal article writing, evidence-based midwifery, research novelty, academic writing, S1 Kebidanan

1. Introduction

In the academic world, a journal article is the primary medium for sharing research results. For midwifery students, writing a journal article is not merely an academic exercise—it is a way to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes through the dissemination of valid, reliable, and applicable knowledge.

Two core concepts underpin high-quality midwifery research articles: evidence-based practice and research novelty. Evidence-based practice ensures that clinical decisions are grounded in the best available research. Novelty, on the other hand, guarantees that the article adds something new to existing knowledge, no matter how small.

This article aims to:

1. Explain how to integrate evidence-based practice into journal article writing.
2. Define research novelty and show how it can be achieved in undergraduate research.
3. Provide a step-by-step structure for writing a professional journal article.

2. Evidence-Based Practice in Journal Article Writing

2.1 Definition

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is the conscientious use of current best evidence in making decisions about patient care (Sackett et al., 1996). In midwifery, EBP integrates three components:

• Best research evidence
• Clinical expertise
• Patient values and preferences

2.2 How to Write an Evidence-Based Journal Article

When writing your article, every claim or recommendation must be supported by credible references. Follow these steps: Step Action Example in Midwifery 1 Formulate a clear clinical question using PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) PICO: In pregnant women (P), does prenatal yoga (I) compared to standard exercise (C) reduce labor pain (O)? 2 Search for high-level evidence (systematic reviews, RCTs, cohort studies) Use databases like PubMed, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar 3 Critically appraise the evidence Use CASP or JBI checklists 4 Synthesize findings in your article Write a literature review that compares and contrasts studies 5 Write implications for midwifery practice Explain how findings can be applied in clinics or community settings

2.3 Example Sentence Stems for Evidence-Based Writing

• “According to a systematic review by Widayati et al. (2021),…”
• “Evidence suggests that delayed cord clamping reduces neonatal anemia (Rabe et al., 2019).”
• “Consistent with evidence-based guidelines from WHO (2020), midwives should…”

3. Research Novelty for Undergraduate Students

3.1 What is Novelty?

Novelty means that your research provides something new, even if incremental. For S1 students, novelty does not require discovering a new drug or theory. Instead, novelty can be achieved by:

• Studying a new population (e.g., teenage mothers in a specific region of Cirebon)
• Applying an existing intervention in a new context (e.g., mobile health education for anemia in rural areas)
• Combining two variables not previously studied together (e.g., spiritual support and breastfeeding self-efficacy)
• Using a different research design (e.g., a mixed-method study where previous research was only quantitative)

3.2 How to State Novelty in Your Article

In a journal article, novelty is usually stated at the end of the Introduction and again in the Discussion. Use the following structure:

“While previous studies have examined X, little is known about Y in the context of Z. Therefore, this study aims to…”

3.3 Example of Novelty Statement (Midwifery Context)

“Although the effectiveness of hypnobirthing on labor pain has been established in urban hospitals, no study has investigated its implementation among multiparous women in independent midwifery clinics in Cirebon Regency. This study provides novel evidence on hypnobirthing’s effects in a low-resource, non-hospital setting.”

3.4 Common Mistakes in Claiming Novelty (Avoid These)

Mistake Why It’s Wrong “No one has ever studied this topic” Almost everything has been studied before. Be specific. “This research is completely new” Too absolute. Use “to our knowledge,” “relatively little,” etc. Not citing previous studies Novelty requires showing what is already known.

4. Structure of a Professional Journal Article

Most peer-reviewed journals follow the IMRaD format. Below is the structure with midwifery-specific guidance. Section Purpose Key Tips for Midwifery Students Title Attract readers and describe content Include key variables, population, and design. Example: “The Effect of Lavender Aromatherapy on Sleep Quality in Third-Trimester Primigravida: A Randomized Controlled Trial” Abstract Summarize the entire article Use structured format: Background, Methods, Results, Conclusion. Add Keywords (3–5). Introduction Explain rationale and gap (novelty) End with research aim/hypothesis. Cite EBP literature. Methods Describe how the study was done Include design, participants, ethical approval, intervention, instruments, data analysis. Results Present findings objectively Use tables for demographic data. No interpretation here. Discussion Interpret results, compare with evidence, state novelty First paragraph: restate main finding. Then compare with previous studies. Last paragraph: limitations and implications. Conclusion Summarize and give recommendations Keep brief (one paragraph). Suggest future research and clinical applications. References Cite all sources Use a reference manager (Mendeley, Zotero). Follow journal style (e.g., APA 7th, Vancouver).

5. Practical Example: Abstract for a Midwifery Journal Article

Title: The Effect of Mobile Phone-Based Anemia Education on Hemoglobin Levels Among Pregnant Adolescents in Cirebon, Indonesia

Abstract

Background: Anemia in pregnancy remains high among Indonesian adolescents. Evidence-based education is needed, but traditional methods are less effective in remote areas.
Methods: A quasi-experimental design was used with 60 pregnant adolescents from two community health centers in Cirebon. The intervention group received 8 weeks of mobile phone-based education (WhatsApp messages and short videos). The control group received standard leaflet education. Hemoglobin levels were measured pre- and post-intervention.
Results: The intervention group showed a significant increase in mean hemoglobin (from 10.2 g/dL to 11.8 g/dL; p<0.001), while the control group showed no significant change (p=0.342).
Novelty: This study is the first to test mobile health education specifically for pregnant adolescents in Cirebon’s peri-urban areas, providing evidence for low-cost, scalable interventions in Indonesian midwifery practice.
Conclusion: Mobile phone-based anemia education is effective and should be integrated into adolescent antenatal care programs.

Keywords: Anemia, mobile health, pregnant adolescents, midwifery education, Cirebon

6. Conclusion and Recommendations for Students

Key Takeaways

1. Evidence-based writing means every claim must be supported by high-quality references. Use PICO, databases, and critical appraisal.
2. Novelty does not mean groundbreaking discovery. For S1 research, novelty comes from context, population, design, or variable combination.
3. Follow IMRaD structure strictly. Each section has a distinct purpose.
4. Practice writing novelty statements and evidence-based sentences in every draft.

Assignment for Students

Write a 300-word Introduction section for a journal article on a midwifery topic of your choice. In your Introduction, you must:

• Cite at least 3 evidence-based sources (published 2015–2025)
• State the research gap clearly (what is unknown)
• End with a novelty statement using the phrase: “To our knowledge, no study has…”

References (Example Format – APA 7th Edition)

Rabe, H., Gyte, G. M., Díaz‑Rossello, J. L., & Duley, L. (2019). Effect of timing of umbilical cord clamping and other strategies to influence placental transfusion at preterm birth on maternal and infant outcomes. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 9, CD003248.

Sackett, D. L., Rosenberg, W. M., Gray, J. A., Haynes, R. B., & Richardson, W. S. (1996). Evidence based medicine: What it is and what it isn’t. BMJ, 312(7023), 71–72.

Widayati, A., Nurdiati, D. S., & Hakimi, M. (2021). Effectiveness of prenatal yoga on reducing labor pain: A systematic review. Journal of Midwifery Science, 9(2), 45–53.

World Health Organization. (2020). WHO recommendations on antenatal care for a positive pregnancy experience. WHO Press.

This material has been prepared for educational purposes in the Midwifery Undergraduate Program, Universitas Muhammadiyah Ahmad Dahlan Cirebon. Students are encouraged to consult journal author guidelines before submitting their articles.